Located in the Mount Vernon Square Historic District of Washington, DC, this original 1880s property was built as a magnificent Victorian single family mansion. However in recent years, the abandoned property became host to rampant criminal activity.

In May 2007, the District's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), Department of Public Works (DPW), Department of Transportation, and the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services conducted the first phase of "Operation: Fix It," a multi-agency initiative aimed at abating previously identified crime, blight and compliance issues throughout the
District, on this site. After a collaborative cleanup effort, Community Three recognized an opportunity to salute the public initiative and restore the stylistic value of the Victorian building with an inventive design solution, ultimately returning the once majestic property back to service.

Community Three forged ahead and began to restore the original Victorian fa�ade and replace the original iron staircase with reclaimed original and newly cast iron elements. The body of the building was reconceived as a large contiguous building with an internal courtyard – a design strategy that made each new residence completely unique, all with ample natural light to support them.

In the end, each of M Street Flats' new residents can take pride in owning a one-of-a-kind new home, built on the foundation of a citywide collaborative effort and a proactive approach to historic preservation, and ultimately share in the renewal of our historic neighborhoods' magnificent architectural assets.